Facebook fakers unmasked

Simone Lahib and other celebrities are finding their identities are being swiped by imposters using fake profiles

When Simone Lahbib came face to face with herself on Facebook, the social networking website, she was horrified by what she found.

The page in her name contained some of the actress's personal details, but also photographs of her that friends had posted. The site, set up by an imposter, was realistic enough to fool even those who know her well. "I don't even know how to describe how I feel," she says, "but I feel worse for the people who were tricked into thinking they were communicating with me."

Having developed a large cult following of fans from her role as a bisexual prison officer in Bad Girls, Lahbib understands the nature of celebrity and the scrutiny that results from it. Yet she remains shaken by the vulnerability she felt.

Unknown to her, somebody had reached into her social circle, immersing themselves in her life. When she learnt of